Digestive Health

Paraprobiotics: A New Approach for Immune System Support

By Erik Goldman

The last decade’s worth of microbiome research has taught us that much of our “human” physiology is actually regulated by microorganisms in our digestive tracts.  It turns out that some of these organisms need not even be alive to exert their influence. Welcome to the world of paraprobiotics—an emerging category of health products containing heat-killed […]

Improving Clinical Outcomes with Paraprobiotics

By Erik Goldman

Paraprobiotics could be just what your patients need for a better life. Pre- and probiotics have become mainstream solutions for improved overall wellbeing, but research has revealed that paraprobiotics–heat-killed probiotic strains–can also have very specific benefits. Paraprobiotics also deliver the added advantage of a longer shelf-life without the need for refrigeration. In this free webinar, […]

Food-Induced Autoimmunity: Tips for Taming Immune System Anarchy

By Erik Goldman

Chronic systemic inflammation and autoimmune reactions underlying many common metabolic, digestive, respiratory, and musculoskeletal disorders. Delayed type food allergies and sensitivities are major drivers of inflammation. Left unchecked, allergies and sensitivities can lead to immune system “anarchy.” The challenge for clinicians is that sensitivity patterns are highly individualized, and many common foods which are not […]

Tasty Recipes for a Late-Winter Immune Boost

By Janet Gulland, Contributing Writer

Looking for easy—and tasty—ways to help your patient raise their folate, potassium and Vitamin C levels, elevate their Vitamin D, and increase their intake of immune-boosting phytochemicals? The Institute for Natural Medicine’s colorful new e-book, Winter Weather Foods for Immune Support, is an excellent place to start. Packed with simple and mouth-watering mostly vegan recipes […]

Feeding Friendly Flora: Prebiotics Have Key Role in Immune Resilience

By Erik Goldman

The gut microbiome and the human immune system have a complex synergistic relationship that we are just beginning to understand. Research on this subject has exploded over the last decade, and the findings are redefining fundamental notions of what it means to be healthy, and, really what it means to be “human.” The immune system–and […]

Mood by Microbe: Stress Response and the Gut-Brain Axis

By Erik Goldman

Multiple converging lines of evidence have shown that the primary cause of chronic systemic inflammation may be the dysfunction of the gut-brain axis. In this presentation, renowned integrative psychiatrist, David Scheiderer, MD, reviews the links between dysbiosis, meta-inflammation, and various psychiatric conditions. Dr. Scheiderer discusses the impact of medications, alcohol, diet, and lifestyle on the […]

Optimizing the Brain-Microbiome Axis

By Erik Goldman

The promise of the “psychobiotic revolution” is that many of the underlying drivers of chronic mental illness can be reversed with relatively simple interventions. “We cannot change the genes in our cells. But we can change the genes in our microbiota. That can have a positive—or a negative—health benefit,” says Ted Dinan, MD, PhD, a […]

Psychobiotics: Your Brain on Friendly Flora

By Grant Jackson, MD

The typical human body contains roughly 1.5 kilograms of microorganisms. That’s about equal in weight to the average human brain. It’s an interesting equivalence, given what we are learning about the myriad ways in which the gut microbiome influences the brain and central nervous system. Many common mental illnesses, including severe depression and anxiety, are […]

The Role of Micronutrients & Probiotics in Immune Health for Children

By Erik Goldman

The immune system is an elegant and complex set of cells, proteins, and tissues designed to protect our bodies from infections, both minor and life-threatening. Both the innate and acquired immune systems are dependent upon healthy nutrition, a healthy gut microbiome, adequate rest, and management of stress. The transfer of maternal microbiota is very closely linked to a […]

Bolstering Mucosal Barriers is Key to Boosting Immunity

By Mark Engelman, MD & Chad Larson, NMD, DC

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the onset of flu season, have a lot of people thinking about their immune systems, and seeking ways to improve resilience to viruses and other types of infection. The best way to help patients strengthen their immunity is to work with them to optimize gut health and strengthen epithelial barriers. […]